Tough rules placed on pub as it reopens

STRICT conditions have been imposed on a Felpham pub as it prepares to re-open.

Licensee Peter Hall has been told to ban screening sports events and cut-price booze offers at the re-launched The Old Barn.

He has also been told he cannot sell alcohol to be drunk off the premises.

The conditions were agreed by Arun District Council’s licensing sub-committee when its members heard Mr Hall’s application for a premises licence for the pub on Felpham Road.

Committee chairman Cllr Graham Tyler said: “These conditions are in addition to those you have agreed with the police.”

They totalled 23 restrictions by which Mr Hall must abide.

Among them were the need to install CCTV and keep the recorded images for 28 days, hold six-monthly meetings with surrounding residents and an 11pm deadline for licensable activities seven days a week.

Patrols must also be undertaken at least hourly inside and outside the premises to ensure empty glasses and bottles are cleared.

Mr Hall made his application after The Old Barn was raided by police last December and drugs found. Nine individuals were arrested.

Its premises licence, which allows alcohol to be sold, was revoked by councillors soon afterwards.

Sgt Simon Morgan, of the West Sussex licensing team of Sussex Police, told the sub-committee last Friday at Bognor Regis Town Hall the previous problems must not be allowed to recur.

“It will be completely unacceptable for the new premises licence to be granted and for the same problems to manifest themselves,” he said.

“I would like to give a re-assurance to local residents and the sub-committee that, should the licence be granted today, it will be monitored closely by Sussex Police who will deal with any breaches robustly and expeditiously.”

Felpham Road resident and mother-of-two Katie Eccles had lodged a formal complaint against the new licence being issued.

She said: “It’s good to hear that Sussex Police will be enforcing the licence.

“As a resident of the past seven years, I would hate to see the premises revert back to type. That’s totally unacceptable for the unity of the village.”

Her complaint detailed fights outside the pub and groups on its front terrace screaming and shouting.